You should not be given Acetadote if the solution is discoloured, cloudy, turbid, or a precipitate is present. The solution is normally a clear colourless solution but may turn slightly pink or purple once in use. This colour change does not affect the quality of the medicine.

You should not be given this medicine if, when diluted with another solution, it causes the solution to precipitate, become cloudy, turbid, discolour, or particles are visible. The doctor or nurse will check to ensure the medicine is not past its expiry date and has not been tampered with.

If you are not sure whether you should be given this medicine, talk to your doctor.

Before you are given it

Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.

Tell your doctor if you have or have had any of the following medical conditions:

asthma or difficulty breathing

liver disease

kidney disease

stomach ulcers.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breast-feeding. Your doctor can discuss with you the risks and benefits involved.

If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell him/her before you are given Acetadote.

Taking other medicines

Tell your doctor or nurse if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you get without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop, naturopath or herbalist. Some medicines and Acetadote may interfere with each other.

Your doctor has more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while being given this medicine.

While you are being given Acetadote

Things you must do

If you are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor and pharmacist that you have been given Acetadote.

Tell any other doctors, dentists, and pharmacists who treat you that you have been given this medicine.

If you are about to have any urine tests, tell your doctor that you are being given this medicine. It may interfere with the results of some tests.

Things to be careful of

If you feel light-headed, dizzy or faint when getting out of bed or standing up, get up slowly. Standing up slowly, especially when you get up from bed or chairs, will help your body get used to the change in position and blood pressure. If this problem continues or gets worse, talk to your doctor.

Side effects

Tell your doctor or nurse as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are being given Acetadote. This medicine helps most people with paracetamol overdose but it may have unwanted side effects in a few people. All medicines can have side effects.

Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical attention if you get some of the side effects.

Do not be alarmed by the following lists of side effects. You may not experience any of them.

Ask your doctor to answer any questions you may have.

Tell your doctor or nurse if you notice any of the following and they worry you:

nausea, vomiting and stomach upset

redness or swelling of the face or around the eyes

shortness of breath

itchy rash

generally feeling unwell or anxious

muscle stiffness

pain and inflammation at the injection site.

The above list includes the more common side effects of your medicine.

Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of the following:

chest pain

bluish discolouration around the mouth

symptoms of an allergic reaction:- shortness of breath- wheezing or difficulty breathing or swallowing- coughing- swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body- rash, itching or hives on the skin- dizziness, lightheadedness- irregular or fast heart beat.

The above list includes serious side effects that may require medical attention.

Tell your doctor or nurse if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell. Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some people.

Some of these side effects can only be found when your doctor does tests from time to time to check your progress.

16 Sep2015 –
Information on medicines available in Australia containing acetylcysteine (antidotes and detoxifying medicines), including our latest evidence-based information and resources for health professionals and consumers. The active ingredient is the chemical in a medicine that makes it work. Medicines that contain the same active ingredient can be available under more than one brand name. Brands include both active ingredients and inactive ingredients. You'll find information about brands of medicines that contain acetylcysteine (antidotes and detoxifying medicines) below, including their consumer medicine information (CMI) leaflets.

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What is a consumer medicine information (CMI) leaflet?

A consumer medicine information (CMI) leaflet tells you about the side effects of a particular medicine, what it is used for and how to use it, and is written according to Australian government standards.

Reasonable care is taken to provide accurate information at the time of creation. This information is not intended as a substitute for medical advice and should not be exclusively relied on to manage or diagnose a medical condition. NPS MedicineWise disclaims all liability (including for negligence) for any loss, damage or injury resulting from reliance on or use of this information. Read our full disclaimer.